Containment and display device for visual objects

ABSTRACT

A device for containing and displaying a visual object or objects, including a hard enclosure configurable in a containment mode for safely holding a visual object containment medium on which the visual object or objects are located, such as, but not limited to, one or more photographs, cards, medals, or compact discs, and which is configurable in a display mode for suspending the visual object or objects for easy viewing.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/682,699, filed May 20, 2005.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to a device for containing and displaying a visual object or objects, and more particularly, to a containment device including a hard enclosure configurable in a containment mode for safely holding a visual object or objects, such as, but not limited to, one or more photographs, cards, medals, or compact discs, and which is configurable in a display mode for suspending the visual object or objects for easy viewing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of applications have been observed for a device capable of securely and safely containing one or more visual objects such as any of those listed above, yet which is also capable of being easily and readily configured for displaying the object or objects in a highly visible manner. For instance, with the current craze of scrap booking and the fact that most “keepsake” pictures that people retain are of a 5×7 inch size or smaller, there is a huge need to allow people to quickly and easily display these pictures and store them. Also, within the scrap booking arena, there are other, preferably flat, items to be stored as keepsakes alongside the pictures. With respect to scrap books, there is no good way to display the images/keepsakes other than displaying a one page at a time, possibly on a table or stand. Additionally, many transient persons, such as traveling salespersons and the like, service personnel, dormitory residents, athletes, and vacationing families; and hospital, residential care and nursing home patients and residents, often desire to have personal photographs and other memorabilia that can be quickly and easily displayed when desired, yet which will be safely and securely stored during travel or other times when the photographs and other memorabilia are not to be viewed. Typically, hospital, nursing home and residential care facilities have few locations within the rooms thereof suitable for displaying cards from well-wishers, photographs, mementos, and the like, and as a result, patients and residents are only able to briefly view them, and there is the danger that the cards and other items will be lost or discarded by cleaning or other institution personnel. Further, often photographs and works of art are printed on or with a medium which is not stable or degrades when exposed to sun and/or other light, moisture, pollutants and other environmental conditions. As result, many people desired to have the ability to quickly display such items, and quickly store them in a protected environment.

Additionally, presently a common medium for storage of music and video is the compact disc (CD) or digital video disc (DVD), hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to by the term compact disc. Commercially produced and some home produced ones of such compact discs include cover art or labels identifying the content thereof. It is often desirable to have the ability to safely display and view the cover art or labels of several of these discs at one time to enable selecting one or more to play or load into a player.

Still further, it is foreseen that children and other persons would cherish commercial and hand made cards, works of art and other mementos commemorating important events, such as birthdays, baptisms and other religious milestones, graduations, retirement, and the like, and would like to have the capability to view such items from time to time, yet conveniently and safely store them together.

Accordingly, what is sought is a device for containing and displaying a visual object or objects, including a hard enclosure in which the object or objects can be safely and securely stored, yet which is openable for deploying and displaying the object or objects for viewing as desired, and which overcomes one or more of the shortcomings and limitations discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

What is disclosed is a device for containing and displaying a visual object or objects, including a hard enclosure in which the object or objects can be safely and securely stored, which is openable for deploying and displaying the object or objects for viewing as desired, and which overcomes one or more of the shortcomings and limitations set forth above.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, a containment and display device for visual objects is disclosed, which includes a hard-enclosure including first and second housing portions cooperable and configurable in a containment mode or state for defining and enclosing an interior cavity having a predetermined extent in a predetermined direction. The device additionally includes a visual object containment medium configurable in a generally flat or unfolded or unrolled display mode or state for receiving and displaying at least one generally flat object or item, the visual object containment medium when in the display mode having a predetermined extent greater than the predetermined extent of the interior cavity. The visual object containment medium is compactable from the display mode to a compacted mode, for instance, by folding or rolling, so as to have a predetermined compacted extent equal to or marginally smaller than the predetermined extent of the interior cavity in the predetermined direction of the enclosure when in the containment mode, so as to be cooperatively receivable therein. And, the visual object containment medium preferably has a first edge portion extending at least generally transversely to the predetermined direction and connected to one of the first and second housing portions, so as to be suspendable therefrom. As result, one or more visual objects, which can include, for instance, but which is not limited to, a photograph; a medal; a coin; a compact disc or digital video disk; a card; artwork; religious icon, or the like, in the compacted mode can be safely and securely stored in the interior cavity of the enclosure when in the containment mode, and the enclosure can be conveniently and easily opened and the visual object containment medium configured in the display mode for displaying the visual object or objects, as desired or required.

According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the visual object containment medium has a second edge portion opposite the first edge portion and connected to another of the first and second housing portions. As a result, neither portion of the housing is likely to be lost, and the visual object containment medium can be quickly and easily compacted into one or both of the housing portions to allow closure of the enclosure.

According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the visual containment medium includes an array of pockets configured for receiving a plurality of the generally flat objects in edge to edge relation, respectively. The array of pockets can include, for instance, columns and rows of pockets extending in two directions, respectively. The individual pockets can be configured or sized and shaped for receiving visual objects to be displayed and stored therein, such as any of those set forth above, such as a work of art, card, photograph, compact disc, or the like.

In another preferred aspect of the invention, the visual object containment medium comprises at least one clear film layer, and can be constructed, for instance, to include clear film pockets configured for receiving one or more of the visual objects. In this regard, this may be similar to the pages of well-known, commercially available photo albums and scrap books.

According to still another preferred aspect of the invention, at least one of the first and second housing portions of the enclosure includes an element configured for suspending the containment and display device beside a vertical surface. This can include, for instance, a strap, loop, ring, or other simple element that can be used to suspend the invention from a hook, nail or shelf, so as to hang along or beside a vertical surface, such as a wall, window or door.

Also according to the invention, the device of the invention can comprise a visual art kit, additionally including at least one element of an art medium adapted for use in creating a two-dimensional artwork containable within the interior cavity with the visual object containment medium, such as art or construction paper, and one or more pencils, crayons and/or paints.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a containment and display device for visual objects according to the present invention, illustrating a visual object containment medium thereof unfolded in a display mode;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1 with the visual object containment medium thereof partially folded between the display mode thereof and a compacted mode;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 with first and second housing portions of a hard enclosure thereof cooperatively engaged for containing the visual object containment medium within an interior cavity thereof;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is another fragmentary perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, illustrating insertion of visual objects into pockets of the visual object containment medium;

FIG. 6 is another fragmentary perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, illustrating a different manner of insertion of visual objects into pockets of the visual object containment medium;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, illustrating details of an optional strap thereof;

FIG. 8 is still another fragmentary perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, illustrating suspension thereof from hooks on a vertical surface using optional straps of the invention;

FIG. 9 is another fragmentary perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, illustrating suspension thereof from a hook on a door using an optional strap of the invention;

FIG. 10 is another fragmentary perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, in kit form including elements of an art medium;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1, illustrating another embodiment of a visual object containment medium rolled into a compacted mode and contained within the interior cavity of the hard enclosure;

FIG. 12 is another sectional view of the device of FIG. 1, illustrating still another embodiment of a visual object containment medium rolled into a compacted mode within the interior cavity of the hard enclosure; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side view of still another embodiment of a visual object containment medium of the invention including a plurality of hingedly connected panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, a containment and display device for visual objects 20, constructed and operable according to the teachings of the present invention, is illustrated. Device 20 includes an elongate, two-piece hard enclosure 22, which is hollow, and includes first and second housing portions 24 and 26 cooperable in a containment mode (FIG. 4) for defining and enclosing an interior cavity 28 having a first predetermined extent A in a first predetermined direction, and a second predetermined extent X in a second predetermined direction preferably perpendicular to extent A, as illustrated. Housing portions 24 and 26 of enclosure 22 can be made of any suitable hard material, such as an injection molded plastics material, such as a high impact styrene plastics material, stamped sheet metal, wood, or the like, and preferably include cooperatively engageable elements, such as interlocking or frictionally matingly engageable lip portions 30 and 32 extending around longitudinally extending open sides 34 and 36, respectively, for holding housing portions 24 and 26 together for enclosing interior cavity 28 in the containment mode, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Alternatively or additionally, mechanical claps or the like could be used.

Referring also to FIGS. 5 and 6, device 20 includes a visual object containment medium 38 configurable in an unfolded or generally flat or planar display mode (FIGS. 1, 5 and 6) for receiving and displaying at least one generally flat object, which can be, for instance, a photograph, a card such as a greeting or business card, as denoted by cards 40, a medal, badge, patch, coin, stamp, or icon, compact disc or digital video disc, as denoted by discs 42, artwork, or the like, the visual object containment medium 38 when in the display mode having a predetermined overall extent greater than both the extents A and X of the interior cavity 28 (FIG. 4), the visual object containment medium 38 being compactable (FIG. 2) from the display mode (FIGS. 1, 5 and 6) to a compacted mode (FIG. 4), having a predetermined compacted extent B in the direction of extent A, and a compacted extent Y in the direction of extent X, which are equal to or marginally smaller than the extents A and X of interior cavity 28, respectively, so as to be cooperatively and completely receivable in cavity 28. The visual object containment medium 38 has a first edge portion 44 (FIG. 4) extending at least generally transversely to the predetermined direction (illustrated by extent X) and connected to first housing portion 24 so as to be suspendable therefrom, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6. The visual object containment medium 38 additionally preferably includes a second edge portion 46 connected to second housing portion 26 for suspending housing portion 26 from medium 38. Edge portions 44 and 46 can be connected to housing portions 24 and 26 in any suitable manner sufficient such that visual object containment medium 38 will remain attached thereto when supported therefrom, or when supporting one or both of housing portions 24 and 26. For instance, longitudinally extending interior surfaces of housing portions 24 and 26 can include a row of beads 48 at spaced locations therealong and protruding therefrom into interior cavity 28, and cooperatively receivable in small holes 50 in edge portions 44 and 46 of medium 38, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Double-sided adhesive tape similarly positioned (not shown) could also be used. Living hinged clamps or cleats (also not shown) could also be provided for this purpose.

Visual object containment medium 38 can be of any suitable construction configurable in a display mode as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, adapted for cooperatively receiving and displaying at least one visual object, such as, but not limited to, a card 40 or a disk 42, and conveniently and easily compactable so as to be cooperatively, and preferably completely, received and stored within interior cavity 28, as illustrated in FIG. 4. As one preferred embodiment, visual object containment medium 38 includes at least one optically clear film, such as of a cellulose or other optically clear plastics material, commonly used and commercially available as photo album, card or scrap book pages. In this regard, visual object containment medium 38 should be sufficiently robust for carrying the weight of visual objects to be held and displayed, or should be reinforced. More preferably, medium 38 is of layered construction, including a clear cellulose first layer 52 and a clear cellulose second layer 54, heat welded, fused, adhered, or otherwise suitably connected together in a grid pattern 56, defining a plurality of pockets 58 as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6. Each pocket 58 will have an opening 60 extending along a top (FIG. 5) or side (FIG. 6) edge thereof, adapted to allow for insertion of a visual object, such as a card 40 or a disk 42, therethrough into pocket 58 (FIGS. 5 and 6), and which will also allow removal of the visual object. In this embodiment, each of pockets 58 will preferably have an extent B in the direction shown, which will be equal to or less than extent A (FIG. 4) and oriented in the direction of extent A when medium 38 is compacted within enclosure 22 (FIG. 4).

Referring also to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, device 20 preferably additionally includes one or more elements for hanging or suspending from a wall, door, window or other suitable vertical surface as represented by vertical surface 70 in FIG. 8. For instance, in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, straps 62 and 64 are attached to first housing portion 24 of enclosure 22 at longitudinally spaced locations therealong, and include elements configured for attachment to a surface 70, such as eyelets 66 illustrated which cooperatively receive hooks 68, nails or other suitable elements on surface 70 (FIG. 8). For convenience, and for securing housing portions 24 and 26 together in the containment mode for transport and other purposes, straps 62 and 64 are preferably wrappable about housing portions 24 and 26 when cooperatively engaged, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Grooves 72 can be provided in the exterior surfaces of housing portions 24 and 26 extending partially or completely therearound, for individually receiving straps 62 and 64, for retaining the straps in position longitudinally. Additionally, respective straps 62 and 64 can include elements for holding themselves in position wrapped around housing portions 24 and 26, such as hook and loop fasteners 74 on opposing surfaces thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

Referring also to FIG. 9, as an alternative element for hanging or suspending device 20, a single strap 76 can be provided, for hanging on a coat hook 78 or other projection on a vertical surface, such as surface 70 illustrated. Strap 76 can also be utilized as a shoulder strap.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, device 20 can optionally be provided as a part of a visual art kit 80 additionally including at least one element of an art medium 82 adapted for use in creating a two-dimensional artwork containable within interior cavity 28, with visual object containment medium 38 when compacted therein. Here, the at least one element of an art medium 82 includes a plurality of pencils or crayons as denoted by number 84, but also could include one or more paints and/or brushes, decals, stickers, glitter, or other well-known art mediums utilized for creating works of fine art, such as drawings, sketches or paintings. Visual objects to be included in the kit are variously illustrated in the other figures, and can comprise, for instance, construction or art paper, suitable for being drawn, sketched or painted on. When the art works are completed, they can then be displayed in or on visual object containment medium 86, then stored in the device as a keepsake. Thus, for instance, one or more devices 20 could be provided for use by attendees at a significant event, such as a birthday party or a retirement party, and the attendees could produce works of art, or sign hand made or purchased cards, which could then be retained as a keepsake by the recipient and safely stored using device 20.

Turning also to FIG. 11, device 20 is illustrated including a visual object containment medium 86 which is compactable into a rolled compacted mode for storage within interior cavity 28 of enclosure 22 when in the containment mode, and which is unrollable into an at least generally flat or unrolled display mode, similar to that of medium 38 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6.

In FIG. 12, device 20 is illustrated including and other embodiment of a visual object containment medium 88 rolled in a compacted mode for storage within interior cavity 28 of enclosure 22, and which is unrollable into an at least generally flat display mode, again which is similar to that of medium 38 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6. Medium 88 can be permanently connected to one of housing portions 24 and 26 of enclosure 22, and then connected to the other of the housing portions when unrolled, using suitable conventional fasteners or the like.

And, in FIG. 13, still another embodiment of a visual object containment medium 90 configured for use with the device of the present invention is illustrated, including individual flat panels 92 configured for receiving and/or holding one or more generally flat visual objects or images thereon. Adjacent ones of flat panels 92 are connected for relative hinged movement, by hinges 94. Visual object containment medium 90 is configurable in an at least generally flat display mode similarly to that of FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, and is hingedly compactable therefrom into a folded compacted mode, similarly as illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 4. Flat panels 92 can be constructed of a suitable rigid material, such as, but not limited to, a clear and colored or colorless acrylic; styrene plastics; or a stiff card stock. Images can be provided on one or both sides of panels 92, as desired or required. Alternatively or additionally, pockets of any desired configuration, adhesives, an electrostatic charge, or other suitable holding elements, can be provided on panels 92, for holding desired visual objects, such as cards, photographs, artworks, or the like.

Here, it should be noted that it is contemplated that visual object containment mediums 38, 86, 88 and 90, and flat panels 92, can be provided in any desired size, as desired or required for a particular application, as long as when compacted, the mediums can be cooperatively received within the hard enclosure when in the containment mode. Additionally, it should be noted that it is contemplated that any desired number or array of visual object containment mediums 38, 86, 88 and 90, and flat panels 92, can be utilized as desired or required for a particular application, again, as long as the mediums can be cooperatively received in the compacted mode within the hard enclosure.

Thus, there has been shown and described a novel containment and display device for visual objects which overcomes many of the problems set forth above. It will be apparent, however, to those familiar in the art, that many changes, variations, modifications, and other uses and applications for the subject device are possible. All such changes, variations, modifications, and other uses and applications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow. 

1. A containment and display device for visual objects, comprising: a hard enclosure including first and second housing portions cooperable for defining and enclosing an interior cavity having a predetermined extent in a predetermined direction; and a visual object containment medium configurable in a display mode for receiving and displaying at least one generally flat object, the visual object containment medium when in the display mode having a predetermined extent greater than the predetermined extent of the interior cavity, the visual object containment medium being compactable from the display mode to a compacted mode having a predetermined compacted extent in the predetermined direction equal to or marginally smaller than the predetermined extent of the interior cavity so as to be cooperatively receivable therein, the visual object containment medium having a first edge portion extending at least generally transversely to the predetermined direction and connected to one of the first and second housing portions so as to be suspendable therefrom.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the visual object containment medium is foldable from the display mode to the compacted mode.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the visual object containment medium has a second edge portion opposite the first edge portion and connected to another of the first and second housing portions.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the visual object containment medium includes an array of pockets configured for receiving a plurality of the generally flat objects in edge to edge relation, respectively.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the array of pockets comprises rows and columns of pockets extending in two directions, respectively.
 6. The device of claim 4, wherein at least some of the pockets are configured for receiving and displaying a compact disc.
 7. The device of claim 4, wherein at least some of the pockets are configured for receiving and displaying a photograph.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the visual object containment medium comprises at least one clear film layer.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second housing portions includes an element configured for suspending the containment and display device beside a vertical surface.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the visual object containment medium is rollable from the display mode into the compacted mode.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the array of pockets comprises at least one pocket configured for receiving a business or greeting card therein.
 12. A visual art kit, comprising: a hard enclosure including first and second housing portions cooperable for defining and enclosing an interior cavity; a visual object containment medium having an edge portion attached to one of the first and second housing portions and a flat surface extending from the edge portion, the visual object containment medium being containable in a compacted mode within the interior cavity defined by the first and second housing portions and removable from the interior cavity and configurable in a generally flat display mode suspended from the one of the first and second housing portions, the flat surface being adapted for creation of a two-dimensional artwork thereon; and at least one element of an art medium adapted for use in creating a two-dimensional artwork containable within the interior cavity with the visual object containment medium.
 13. The kit of claim 12, wherein the at least one element of an art medium comprises a pencil.
 14. The kit of claim 12, wherein the at least one element of an art medium comprises a crayon.
 15. The kit of claim 12, wherein the at least one element of an art medium comprises a paintbrush.
 16. The kit of claim 12, wherein the flat surface comprises a surface of a sheet of paper.
 17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the visual object containment medium comprises overlaying layers of film materials defining a pocket configured for receiving the sheet of paper.
 18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the visual object containment medium comprises a plurality of the pockets.
 19. The kit of claim 12, wherein the visual object containment medium comprises a second edge portion attached to the other of the first and second housing portions.
 20. The kit of claim 12, wherein the one of the first and second housing portions includes an element configured for suspending the enclosure beside a vertical surface.
 21. The kit of claim 12, wherein the visual object containment medium is foldable into the compacted mode and unfoldable therefrom into the display mode.
 22. The kit of claim 12, wherein the visual object containment medium is rollable into the compacted mode and unrollable therefrom into the display mode.
 23. A containment and display device for visual objects, comprising: a hard enclosure including first and second housing portions cooperatively engageable for defining and enclosing an interior cavity having an extent in a predetermined direction; and a visual object containment medium configurable in a display mode for holding at least one generally flat object to be displayed, the visual object containment medium when in the display mode having an extent greater than the extent of the interior cavity in the predetermined direction, the visual object containment medium being compactable in at least the predetermined direction from the display mode to a compacted mode having a compacted extent in the predetermined direction equal to or marginally smaller than the extent of the interior cavity in the predetermined direction so as to be cooperatively receivable in the interior cavity, the visual object containment medium having a first edge portion extending at least generally transversely to the predetermined direction and connected to one of the first and second housing portions so as to be suspendable therefrom.
 24. The device of claim 23, wherein the visual object containment medium is foldable from the display mode to the compacted mode.
 25. The device of claim 23, wherein the visual object containment medium has a second edge portion opposite the first edge portion and connected to another of the first and second housing portions.
 26. The device of claim 23, wherein the visual object containment medium includes an array of pockets configured for receiving a plurality of the generally flat objects in edge to edge relation, respectively.
 27. The device of claim 26, wherein the array of pockets comprises pockets extending in the predetermined direction and pockets extending transversely thereto.
 28. The device of claim 26, wherein at least some of the pockets are configured for receiving and displaying a compact disc.
 29. The device of claim 26, wherein at least some of the pockets are configured for receiving and displaying a photograph.
 30. The device of claim 23, wherein the visual object containment medium comprises at least one clear film layer.
 31. The device of claim 23, wherein at least one of the first and second housing portions includes an element configured for suspending the containment and display device beside a vertical surface.
 32. The device of claim 23, wherein the visual object containment medium is rollable from the display mode into the compacted mode.
 33. The device of claim 23, wherein the visual object containment medium comprises a pocket configured for receiving and displaying a card therein. 